Jesuit
Mission has raised $50,000 for the relief effort in post-earthquake Haiti, and
hopes that its successful appeal will continue to bear fruit. But while talks
about rebuilding Haiti following the January earthquake have begun, many basic
needs are still not being met.
Just
one quarter of the estimated 1.2 million displaced people have received
emergency shelter support, and about 17,500 children are suffering from acute
malnutrition. 'The food distribution centres open at 8am and long lines begin
to form at 3am. But there still are people who do not receive food', says
Jesuit priest, Kawas François.
Funds
collected by Jesuit Mission are transferred directly to JRS, which has become a
leader in the provision of emergency relief in the form of food, medicine,
tents and debris-removal tools. In coordinated efforts with partner
organisations JRS has set up collection depots throughout the Dominican
Republic from which it transports supplies into Haiti.
JRS
staff have also been a supportive and encouraging presence among survivors.
'The people have shown an unparalleled solidarity: assisting the wounded,
sharing food and water', said Fr François. 'Without this solidarity I don't see
how people could survive.' Over 200,000 people were killed and 300,000 injured
in the disaster.
The
Director Of Jesuit Mission, Fr Phil Crotty SJ, says that Jesuits and their lay
colleagues on the ground are going beyond the call of duty in assisting those
affected by the earthquake.
'They
are living with the people, and will continue to live with them even after the
ships and the planes have left. They will respond to the people's needs, listen
to their painful stories and give whatever personal care and hope governments
are unable to give.'
JRS
USA reports that, in the days following the earthquake, JRS provided emergency
food relief to about 50,000 people, while JRS-affiliated medical teams treated
about 4,500 people who were injured in the quake or became ill in the
aftermath. While continuing to serve the emergency needs of the affected people
JRS is now, in collaboration with the Haitian people, planning sustainable
projects to help the population recover and move forward.
For more on Jesuit Mission, go to www.jesuitmission.org.au.
Picture: UNHCR.